Lightning Rob Sparks Pinon PRISE Workshop Januar 26th, 2008 Rob Sparks Pinon PRISE Workshop Januar 26th, 2008

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Lightning

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Lightning on Kitt Peak

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Lightning can be dangerous

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Lightning and Static Electricity

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Buildup of Charge  Still not completely understood  Updrafts carry positive charges to top  Bottom of cloud becomes negatively charged  Still not completely understood  Updrafts carry positive charges to top  Bottom of cloud becomes negatively charged

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Buildup of Charge  Negatively charged cloud induces charge in the ground  Charge builds up until…  Negatively charged cloud induces charge in the ground  Charge builds up until…

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Step Ladders  Air becomes ionized due to large electric field  Air ionizes easier in some directions than others  Pattern called step ladder forms  Air becomes ionized due to large electric field  Air ionizes easier in some directions than others  Pattern called step ladder forms

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 The Strike  Positive “streamers” sent out from the Earth  A streamer meets a step ladder and  Boom!  Usually have multiple strikes  Positive “streamers” sent out from the Earth  A streamer meets a step ladder and  Boom!  Usually have multiple strikes

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Apollo 12  Apollo 12 was struck by lightning on liftoff  Rocket launches can stimulate lightning!  Great tool for research  Apollo 12 was struck by lightning on liftoff  Rocket launches can stimulate lightning!  Great tool for research

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Lightning on Jupiter!

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 By the Numbers…  Up to 100,000 Amps  Power of 100 terawatts  Heats air to 18,000 degrees F  Average bolt is 1.6 miles long, longest recorded is 190 miles long  Up to 100,000 Amps  Power of 100 terawatts  Heats air to 18,000 degrees F  Average bolt is 1.6 miles long, longest recorded is 190 miles long

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 Lightning in the United States

Pinon PRISE Workshop January 26th, 2008 A few cool videos!  g_Video.htm g_Video.htm  g/  g_Video.htm g_Video.htm  g/